The Opera Orchestra: Mahler at Den Norske Opera & Ballett

Without the music there would be no opera and no dancing. It's a simple as that. So it's important for the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra, that musical foundation on which our artistic forms are so dependent, to be lifted out of the pit and onto the stage, the centre of everyone's attention for the evening. The orchestra musicians say that they enjoy playing their own concerts; they are able to play with colour and sound in a way that they can't in the ballet and operatic productions.

During the concerts, the musicians perform pieces from a rich symphonic repertoire, giving audiences a fresh appreciation of the Main House's wonderful acoustics.

In recent years the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra has expanded considerably, including as a concert orchestra, under the lively and inspiring leadership of John Helmer Fiore. This year, we are particularly delighted to present a selection of our own musicians as soloists performing with the orchestra.
THE NORWEGIAN NATIONAL OPERA ORCHESTRA: MAHLER / BERG

Leader of the Norwegian National Opera Orchestra Camilla Kjøll takes to the concert podium as soloist in perhaps Alban Berg's most personal work: the violin concerto.

When Alban Berg began work on his violin concerto, it was with the news of the death of his young friend, the beautiful eighteen-year-old Manon Gropius, in the back of his mind. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he dedicated it "To the memory of an angel".

Berg's musical expression is not wholly dissimilar to what we know of Gustav Mahler's. While the violin concerto is dedicated to the memory of an angel, Mahler's Fourth Symphony takes us to heaven itself. From the opening chimes of bells to the heavenly melody of the finale – here featuring our own soprano Marita Sølberg as soloist – the symphony is a bright, optimistic work.

The conductor for the entire performance is Italian Antonino Fogliani – an exciting name among the new generation of conductors.
Program

Alban Berg
Violin Concerto

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No. 4 in G major